Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Half-Indian, half-English, Rosina has had to move to England where she is miserable. Her father took her from India when her mother died and she misses the palace she lived in and her aunt, Rani-K, the queen of their kingdom. Things take a dramatic turn when Rosie learns that her father is a spy for the British government and she stows away on a plane to be with him. Finding herself in Nazi occupied France, Rosie needs to be on her guard if she is to help her father with his mission- and survive.

Courageous and loyal, Rosie is an excellent heroine. Left reeling by her mother’s death and angry and confused by her father’s apparent lack of grief and concern for her wishes, Rosie is determined to find out what he is doing, launching herself into the heart of danger. Smart and capable, she is keen to learn the ‘skills’ of spying and quick to take action when needed.

The story does not shy away from some of the harsh realities of life in occupied France, exploring the role of the resistance and the risks they faced in opposing the Nazis. There is tragedy within the unit Rosie’s father is leading and tough decisions have to be made, considering ‘the greater good’.

Rosie’s mixed heritage of her Indian mother and English father also introduces the role of the British Raj in India, the struggle for independence and Gandhi’s non-violent teachings, sure to encourage readers to further investigate this part of history. I wonder whether the final version of the book might include some suggested reading material as there is so much to learn from (as well as enjoy in) this story. I believe this is the first in a series of adventures for Rosie and I look forward to seeing what she gets up to next!

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Sufiya Ahmed

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801990059

A Recipe for Trouble

Alice Éclair might only be thirteen, but she is also an expert pâtissière and France's youngest, keenest spy. For the past year, she has been receiving cryptic messages and puzzles to solve and, although she does not know who they are from, she has her suspicions - which are realised when a final code leads her to a secret meeting.

Alice learns that all the puzzles have been to train her in espionage in the hope that she will undertake a mission to uncover a cunning enemy agent.  Alice sets off on this dangerous assignment aboard France's most glamourous train, posing as a pastry chef. But soon everyone on the train is under suspicion and Alice must use all her baking skills and her cunning to crack the case.

There is much to enjoy in this adventure, Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire! Alice is a wonderful heroine; resourceful and intelligent, yet fallible, she launches herself into her investigation with enviable energy and enthusiasm. There are twists and turns a-plenty and scatterings of red herrings as Alice engineers opportunities to investigate her fellow passengers.  The reader learns to crack codes and can test their own sleuthing skills as the mystery develops - only to be surprised by a sudden shock! There are some tense moments along the way as Alice finds herself facing peril as well as baking pastries.

The story offers plenty to discuss with its Parisian opening, attitudes to women and 'serving' classes and, of course, its many cake references. With a new adventure, A Spoonful of Spying, on its way, Alice is sure to become a firm favourite.

Alice Éclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Sarah Todd Taylor

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839940958